Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - There's always so much going on in Puerto Vallarta and around Banderas Bay it can be difficult to keep up with it all. Here's a look at some of this week's Puerto Vallarta news and community announcements, plus a couple of this weekend's events that you won't want to miss.

Vallarta Botanical Garden in the Spotlight

Last week was a pretty exciting week at the Vallarta Botanical Garden, with both the British Broadcasting Corporation and The Discovery Channel shooting footage for upcoming documentaries there. The BBC was at the Gardens filming the Stanhopea radiosa orchids and Euglossine bees for their 2017 series, "México," and Discovery brought Singer/songwriter Lila Downs to the Gardens while shooting footage for a 46 minute episode of "Naufragantes" that will feature Puerto Vallarta. While here, Lila Downs explored several Puerto Vallarta attractions, including the Cuale River Island, the Malecón and its famous sculptures, and several Huichol craft stores and art galleries. Naufragantes is a documentary series that highlights cultural attractions in cities around the world. The Puerto Vallarta episode will be broadcast later this year to the Latino community in the United States and South America via Discovery's Travel & Living Channel. While at the Vallarta Botanical Garden, Executive Director Neil Gerlowski welcomed Lila Downs and her family as new members.

Xiutla Folkloric Ballet Goes to Europe

Twenty-five of Puerto Vallarta's Xiutla Folkloric Ballet dancers caught a plane to London late last night for their Summer tour of Europe, which will conclude on August 12. While there, they will perform in some of the continent's most important destinations, including London, England; Innsbruck and Seefeld, Austria; Venice and Trento, Italy; and Rothenburg and Frankfurt, Germany. According to Enrique Barrios Limón, the founder/leader/choreographer of the youth folkloric ballet, this tour was made possible by a generous donation of more than 300,000 Euros by American artistic promoter Gilford Mahaffy, whose company has been sponsoring young artist tours for 45 years. Puerto Vallarta's municipal government chipped in another 60,000+ Pesos for the dance troupe's wardrobe and other expenses. Aside from their performances, the dancers, who are being accompanied by four chaperones, will have the opportunity to enjoy some of Europe's most popular tourism attractions. While there, they might even take side trips to places like Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.

2016 Election U.S. Voter Assistance in Vallarta

It is not too soon to think about requesting your absentee ballot to vote in some state primaries and the 2016 U.S. November 8, 2016 general election from here in Mexico. If you are in the greater Banderas Bay area, members of the Democrats Abroad Mexico Costa Banderas Chapter are here to help you be an absentee voter, not an absentee citizen. Some states now require you to register and request an absentee ballot every year if you live abroad or will be abroad during election periods and some states also have very early deadlines. The website VoteFromAbroad.org has been established for U.S. and dual citizens to register and to request absentee ballots. This website was set up to assist people regardless of their party affiliation and will lead you to the election site in your last state of residence and/or voting. If you need local help, voter assistance staffed tables will be set up at Mailboxes Etc. on July 28 from 3-5 pm and at iShop & Mail on July 27 from 11 am to 1 pm. For more information, click HERE.

Weekend Events in Puerto Vallarta and Around Banderas Bay
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• Trained Bird Show & Eco Conference at Galerías Vallarta

• Daiquiri Dick's Summer Sizzle: The Flavors of France

• Last Chance to See 'The Book of Job' in The Red Room at Act II